It took about a month for Alex Boshers to get his grove back, but he is on a roll since June 14, winning his sixth straight game Sunday night in the Wichita Wingnuts 8-1 victory over the Salina Stockade. The Wingnuts right-hander tossed his third complete game of the season, allowing 5-hits and a run, and Tyler Sullivan is fitting in well in the Wichita lineup, driving in 2 and scoring 2 more.

After Alex Boshers blanked the Stockade in the top of the first, the Wingnuts staked him to a 3-0 lead in the bottom half of the inning. Tyler Sullivan led off the frame with a base hit and moved to second when Christian Stringer walked. After Sullivan and Stringer moved up on a double-steal, Bent Clevlen brought home the runner from third on a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0. T.J. Mittelstaedt followed by drawing a walk that put runners at first and second with one down. Again, the Wingnuts employed the double-steal, with both runners reaching safely and Stringer coming home when the throw to third was wild. Matt Chavez followed with a base hit to bring Mittelstaedt in and it was 3-0.

After being held off the board in the first two frames, the Stockade would cut the deficit to two in the third. Troy Paris was hit by a pitch to start the inning and moved to third on a double by Jordan Caillouet. After Boshers struck out Aaron Olivas, Jonathan Moroney grounded into a fielder’s choice that nailed Caillouet at third, but Paris scored to make it 3-1.

An inning later, Wichita extended their lead. Brennen Salgado led off the bottom of the fourth with a single and moved to second when Sullivan walked two batters later. The brought Stringer to the plate, who lined a double into right-center, scoring both runners to make it 5-1. After a Mittelstaedt walk, Chavez brought Stringer home with a base hit to make it 6-1.

In the seventh, Wichita extended their lead to seven. Zac Fisher got the inning started with a base hit and Richard Prigatano followed by drawing a walk. David Gates retired the next two batters, but Sullivan singled into center, bringing both runners home to make it 8-1.

After giving up a run in the third, Alex Boshers (9-2) rolled. He gave up just 2-hits over the remaining six-innings in tossing his third complete game of the season. The Wingnuts starter allowed 5-hits and a walk while striking out 6. He threw a season high 116-pitches.

Boshers is undefeated in his last eight-appearances, a span that has seen him go 55-innings, allowing 47-hits, just 5-walks, and 10-earned runs (1.64 ERA). He is also 4-0 against the Salina Stockade this season.

Tyler Sullivan finished the day 3-4 with 2-runs and 2-RBI. He is 8-13 (.615) since joining the Wingnuts. Christian Stringer was 2-4 with 2-runs and 2-RBI. Matt Chavez drove in 3 and T.J. Mittelstaedt walked three times and scored a run.

Game 2 of this three-game series is Monday night. Tim Brown (1-1, 8.40) will go for Wichita. He will be opposed by Jared Koenig (1-1, 1.20). First pitch is at 7:00.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier